Ahmedabad: Monsoon in Gujarat started with abundant rainfall, but the bounty from heavens has clearly not been enough. Aug ends today and monsoon too is nearing its end, but Gujarat’s rain gauge has some worrisome data to share. Eleven out of the state’s 34 districts have recorded up to 50-51% annual rainfall deficit.Devbhumi Dwarka is the worst-hit, with 87%, which puts it among of the most rain-deficient districts in India, only behind districts such as Anjaw in Arunachal Pradesh with 89% deficit, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) website.An analysis of the data indicates that it is only the first time in five years and third in 10 years that Gujarat has not been able to receive 100% of its seasonal rainfall. Experts say that the average rainfall till end of Aug is 75%, but the figure is deceptive.“After a long time, Kutch and Saurashtra are the most deficient. Traditionally considered parched and water-deficit, these two regions had turned a new leaf in the past decade with better access to water. This year, Kutch has so far received 29% of its average annual rainfall, whereas Saurashtra has received 56%. Chances of significant rainfall now are slim, but not zero,” said a meteorologist.Some of the districts with low rainfall so far according to State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) include Devbhumi Dwarka (6%), Porbandar (18%), Kutch (19%), Jamnagar (28%), Gir Somnath (46%), Sabarkantha (46%), Aravalli (46%), Rajkot (47%), and Chhota Udepur (50%) among others.This year’s skewed rainfall has seen the majority of the south Gujarat districts recording 100% or more of its annual rain. An earlier analysis indicated that Gujarat received about 60% of its rain so far in a matter of just 15 days, indicating trend of isolated heavy rain.Meteorologists pointed out that in 2019, 2020 and 2024, Aug recorded the highest rainfall among the four months of monsoon which were above 400mm. In comparison, this year’s rain is 96.5mm. In terms of absolute Aug rain, it would be the third lowest after 25.5mm in 2023 and 65.3mm in 2021, according to SEOC data.In the past one week, the state has only recorded an average 2.3mm rain. Keeping an eye on the rain deficit, the state government recently announced providing water through the SAUNI scheme to Devbhumi Dwakra and Porbandar districts.
